Principles of Biblical Interpretation

As a primer, Principles of Biblical Interpretation has no equal.

Its author, Louis Berkhof, had established himself as one of the finest evangelical theologians of the century when he published this textbook in 1950.

Berkhof introduces the reader to grammatical, historical, and theological interpretation. He shows the Bible student ways "in which the differences or the distance between a biblical author and his readers may be removed." And this can only be accomplished when readers "transpose themselves into the time and spirit of the author. In the study of the Bible, it is not sufficient that we understand the meaning of the secondary authors; we must learn to know the mind of the Spirit."

About the Author

Louis Berkhof (1874–1957) taught for thirty-eight years at Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. His numerous other books include The History of Christian Doctrine, Manual of Christian Doctrine, and Systematic Theology, one of the enduring dogmatic statements of the Reformed faith.